Speaker
Description
In the last decade, alpha-RuCl$_3$ has been extensively studied as a possible realization of the Kitaev quantum spin liquid state, an elusive new state of matter that could be useful for applications in quantum technologies. However, inconsistent experimental reports have made it challenging to understand its true ground state. In this talk, we will give a brief overview of the current status of research on alpha-RuCl3 and discuss recent experimental developments and a few surprising findings using various X-ray scattering techniques. Our high-resolution X-ray diffraction studies carried out at the CLS allowed us to determine its low-temperature crystal structure, which explains the observed temperature dependence of the magnetic anisotropy. Resonant Elastic X-ray Scattering (REXS) studies allow us to determine the magnetic structure of this material, which turned out to be crucial for understanding the underlying magnetic Hamiltonian of this material. Finally, our resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) data revealed the non-local nature of the electronic states in this material.
| Keyword-1 | Spin liquid |
|---|---|
| Keyword-2 | REXS |
